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The most important monument in Damascus (دمشق), and perhaps the entire country, is the magnificent Umayyad Mosque (الجامع الاموي). No single historic site symbolizes the rich and varied cultural heritage of Syria as does this remarkable mosque. It has served as a place of worship continuously for several millennia, a holy place for over a thousand years even prior to the arrival of Islam. While …

The old city of Damascus (دمشق) was once surrounded by extensive fortifications that included walls, towers, and gates in addition to the more imposing Damascus Citadel (قلعة دمشق). Much of these defenses survive intact, often concealed within markets and incorporated into residential buildings. While the city’s fortifications were originally constructed during the Roman period, what remains today largely dates to Seljuq and Ayyubid era reconstructions. …

Damascus (دمشق) was conquered by the Romans in 64 BCE, which marked the beginning of their long rule over the city. Although the Romans based their administration of Syria in Antioch (modern Antakya, Turkey), there were several substantial building projects undertaken in Damascus (دمشق) during the centuries of Roman rule. These included improvements in city planning, construction of an aqueduct system to bring water from …

One of the most impressive monuments in Syria is the magnificent Temple of Bel (معبد بل). Located in the southeastern quarter of the ancient city of Palmyra (تدمر), this massive Roman temple complex is one of the best preserved in the Middle East. The site of the temple had been used for religious purposes as far back as 2200 BCE, and as recently as 1929 …

Surrounding the ancient city of Palmyra (تدمر) is a vast necropolis (مدافن) featuring hundreds of Roman-era tombs, one of the most fascinating aspects of the site to explore. The most remarkable tombs, often constructed for the most prominent residents of the city, feature impressive architecture and detailed funerary art. The wealth and prosperity of this caravan city is reflected in the high quality craftsmanship devoted …

The Temple of Baal-Shamin (معبد بعلشمين) is one of the most well-preserved temples in the ancient city of Palmyra (تدمر). In Semitic tradition, Baal-Shamin was the “Lord of the Heavens”, responsible for rain and harvest and often equated with the Greek Zeus. Located in the far north of the acropolis, portions of the temple complex date back as early as 17 CE, with numerous phases …

Centrally located in the acropolis of Palmyra (تدمر) are the remains of the ancient city’s theater (مسرح). Largely buried under sand until the 1950s, the structure has since been excavated and restored, representing one of the most well-preserved Roman theaters in Syria outside of Bosra (بصری). The theater (مسرح) was constructed in the first half of the second century according to Polish archaeologist Kazimierz Michałowski. …

Located in the northwestern periphery of the ancient city of Palmyra (تدمر), at the end of the main colonnaded street, is a remarkable funerary temple (المعبد الجنائزي). Surprisingly little is known about this temple tomb, as no inscriptions have been discovered, but it is believed to date from the late second or early third century. This particular style of tomb represents the later stages of …

One of the most recognizable structures in the ancient city of Palmyra (تدمر) is the remarkable monumental arch (قوس النصر). Also known as the triumphal arch or victory arch, it was constructed during the reign of Emperor Septimius Severus, who ruled from 193 to 211. Despite being built more than a half century after Hadrian’s visit to the city, the monument is often erroneously referred …

Unlike most Roman cities in the region, the ancient city of Palmyra (تدمر) did not conform to the standard city plan of two intersecting colonnaded streets aligned to the points of the compass. The main colonnaded street of Palmyra (تدمر) twice changes direction, and at these points unique architectural devices were employed to make the route appear more harmonious. One of these is the monumental …

LENS ON SYRIA BOOK

Lens on Syria: A Photographic Tour of Its Ancient and Modern Culture by Daniel Demeter is now available! Published by Just World Books, this photography book features the finest images of the extensive collection found on Syria Photo Guide. Over four hundred full-color images are contained within the 304 page volume, organized by geographic region into seven chapters, and featuring a striking interior layout designed by Diana Ghazzawi. Professor Joshua Landis, Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oklahoma and creator of Syria Comment, has authored the foreword.

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